Factors Affecting Survival and Reproduction of the Banks Grass Mite, Oligonychus pratensis 12

Abstract

The Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), was confined on the lower sides of corn leaves, using either clip-on cages or grid cages constructed from tree tanglefoot. Mites developed most rapidly when temperatures were high; the effects of relative humidity were significant but minimal. Significantly more mites survived and more eggs were laid on silking corn than on seedling corn. Significantly more eggs were laid on moisture-stressed plants than on corn plants receiving adequate moisture.